From Cuba to England
While Enrique Jorrin composed the music it was studies made by dance teacher Monsieur Pierre Zurcher-Margolle and his dance partner Doris Lavelle that gave birth to the ballroom style of Cha Cha. On his visit to Cuba in 1952 he noticed that the dance had a split fourth beat where dancers began on the second beat. He brought this idea back to England and created ballroom cha cha cha. Many dancers prefer the original beats although the music for this dance has now been influenced by mainstream genres like Latin pop. Today, many songs that resemble the rhythm and tempo of the cha cha can be used although it must have a sensual feel.
Let’s do the cha cha
Dance instructors translate the 4/4 beat as “slow-slow-quick-quick-slow” or “step-step-chacha-step”. Cuban music or Latin pop or rock is the ideal choice of music for the cha cha, as long as it is energetic with a steady beat. The dance form is more sensual and requires agility, which is the ability to rapidly change weight and position. The timing is 1 2 3 cha-cha 1 2 3 cha-cha danced at a slow, medium or fast tempo. The cha cha involves interaction from both partners who constantly push forward, making it possible to dance into the floor.
